RAWALPINDI: The divisional administration on Thursday gave in to the poultry association demand allowing traders to determine the poultry prices till the formation of a committee which would recommend price formula, paving the way for the traders to end their strike.

Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha has given Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema the task to form the committee as soon as possible. The commissioner issued the directives after the meeting with the stakeholders.

On Nov 20,Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha took notice of the price difference of chicken between Rawalpindi and other divisions and directed the deputy commissioners of Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and Murree to launch immediate crackdown on wholesalers who were charging extra money.

The commissioner said the price of chicken meat is much higher in Rawalpindi when compared with the rest of the division and asked deputy commissioners to ensure that the prices of poultry were reduced substantially.

In reaction to the commissioners directive, three major poultry traders organisations went on strike in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad against uniform rates.

Due to the strike that started on Tuesday, the district including Rawalpindi city went short of chicken. However, on Thursday, All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran President Ajmal Baloch, Punjab Poultry Traders Association President Tariq Javed, Anjuman Tajran Punjab President Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Poultry Association General Secretary Qazi Javed, Poultry Association Rawalpindi President Malik Ghazanfar and General Secretary Qazi Zahid Mehmood Awan met the commissioner.

After the successful negotiations between Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta and the business organisations, the dispute over uniform rate in Rawalpindi Division resolved.

Later, the three major poultry traders organisations have withdrawn the strike call.

After hearing the point of views of the traders in Rawalpindi Division, the commissioner asked deputy commissioner to form a committee which would decide the price formula, until then the poultry association will decide the daily price of chicken and eggs. The commissioner said that the provincial government wanted to provide all possible facilities to the traders. But, he said, the traders community should also cooperate with the administration in providing quality food and essential items to the public at reasonable rates.

The traders association representatives were of the view that the prices of chicken and eggs will be set by association and at least Rs25 to Rs30 per kg profit should go to retailers.

They said that they were in favor of selling chicken at low profit, but since there is no poultry farming in Rawalpindi division and especially in Rawalpindi district, the production of chicken here is not possible.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2023